The anticipated transition of vehicle transportation in the coming years got a hearing in a Kentucky legislative meeting Tuesday. The bill establishes the regulatory framework for the operation of fully autonomous vehicles on Kentucky’s public highways. Ariel Wolf represents the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association. While saying collisions occur with all vehicles, Wolf said the bill provides clarity and accountability.
“We can get to a point that autonomous vehicle technology can be safely and swiftly operated and deployed on these roads and the roads of this country so that we can retain our global leadership position in this technology and continue to grow our economy while improving safety,” said Wolf.
Wolf said human impairment is by far the biggest contributor to crashes.
Some House committee members expressed concerns about the technology, many asking about liability issues. The committee also heard from representatives from trucking and public transit unions with similar concerns and worries about job losses.
Steve Ruoff is a third-generation trucker. Following the meeting, Ruoff said he doesn’t feel a robot should take on his job.
“I know how that vehicle operates and feels in all different weather conditions, just like yesterday with all the high wind. Is it going to take into accommodation of tilting back and forth? Is it going to adjust its speed because of that wind gust that it just got that made me yank over to the center lane. You might be driving in that left lane,” said Ruoff.
Lillian Brents with the Amalgamated Transit Union, representing public bus drivers in Louisville said autonomous vehicles are not ready for prime time.
The bill emerged from committee and heads to the House floor.
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